Mineral resources

The course will cover the following topics:

• issues related to mineral resources in the global context,
• the main types of metal deposits, their formation processes, and mining operations,
• The environmental impacts associated with mining operations.

The practical work will aim to familiarize students with the main metal-bearing minerals (macroscopic observations and use of metallographic microscopes).

A field day will complete the training by studying examples of metal deposits.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 9 a.m.

Practical work: 12 hours

Field: 6 hours

Introduction to the concepts of mineral resources, mineral and metal deposits, and the mineralogy of non-silicate species. Awareness of the environmental impacts of mining.

EU Minerals and rocks

Recommended prerequisites:

EU The Earth and its resources

EU Structural Geology

Continuous assessment (evaluations of practical work, fieldwork, and lectures).

Brief description of the concepts covered in CM

• Global context and challenges surrounding mineral and metal resources in the energy transition.
• The main types of metal deposits: magmatic, hydrothermal, and sedimentary.
• Environmental impacts of mineral resource exploitation.

Brief description of practical sessions and number of hours associated with each session

• Metallic minerals: native, halides, sulfides (macroscopy and microscopy).
• Metallic minerals: oxyhydroxides, carbonates, silicates (macroscopic and microscopic).
• Description of the topics/activities covered during your field trip(s) and details of the destinations/sites
• Allochthonous bauxite deposit.
• Deposit of barite, fluorite, and copper sulfides/sulfates.

Knowledge of metallotectics and the main mineralization processes related to major geological and geodynamic contexts.

Knowledge and recognition of minerals and metal deposits